Issue:

Dear members,

We are just weeks away from our General Membership Meeting, when the Finance Committee will present our budget for the next business year. Tremendous consideration goes into this plan, and I’d like to thank Treasurer Anthony Rowley and his finance team for leading the Club towards a stronger path of sustainability. I hope to see you all at this quarterly meeting on March 27. Dinner will be served for ¥1,000 for those in attendance.

However, please note that all members will be invited to the meeting - regular, professional journalist associate, and associate. Everyone has a stake in this Club, so for the first time we will open the GMM to include the entire FCCJ community. To be clear, the meeting has a tight agenda with a limited timeframe, but this board of directors and FCCJ are deeply indebted to all our membership and wish to make a better and more welcoming Club for everyone. As noted, dinner will be available, but please let the front desk know if you’re coming and need to reserve a meal.

In addition to voting on the budget and business plan, as well as an existing levy, we will again present amendments to the Articles of Association that need two-thirds of regular members to vote in favor for it to pass. The amendments would have passed if a few more people had voted last fall, so I would kindly ask that when regular members receive e-ballots this month that they vote promptly. And that absolutely includes directors.

Separately, I would like to thank Martin Koelling and our Kanji Martin Fackler for past and future service as co-chair of the Professional Activities Committee. PAC is a considerable time commitment in trying to bring the best of Japan to the world, and acting as co-chair often requires the negotiation skills of a diplomat, the patience of Job, and the sharp elbows of a dock worker. Again, my deep gratitude to both Martins for their service to this organization.

Finally, please join our St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 15, when Jim Ediger and Cuckoo Jam will play all the holiday favorites in the FCCJ bar. It’s part of a revived Saturday Night Live lineup that will have you raising a glass and enjoying the best of Ireland in Tokyo.

Dan Sloan
FCCJ President